2016 Honda Pilot integrates Acura MDX DNA

LARGER, longer yet lighter than before, the third-generation Honda Pilot is fully redesigned for 2016.

Photos by Aida Sevilla-Mendoza

Don’t want to be caught dead driving a minivan?

For those who need a family carrier but don’t want to be seen in something as uncool as a minivan, Honda Motor offers the fully redesigned 2016 Pilot all-wheel-drive (AWD) sport utility vehicle as a premium minivan substitute.

Based on the Acura MDX platform and powered by a new direct injection 3.5-liter V6 mated to a new 6-speed automatic transmission, the third-generation Pilot feels sportier than previous iterations due to a lower curb weight (280 pounds lighter), an intelligent traction monitoring system and motion-adaptive electrically powered steering.

The direct injected V6 packs 280 horsepower and 36.0 kg-meters max torque.

With more power, additional gears (the outgoing model has a 5-speed AT) and less mass, this three-row, eight-seater midsize SUV jumps off the line when you nail the throttle from a stop. It scoots from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.5 seconds.

Power is ample throughout the rev range and the engine feels strong and responsive, not overburdened like the competition.

The torque-vectoring function borrowed from the Acura helps the Pilot to hold its line perfectly through a corner, grip like a sedan, and smoothly transfer its weight by actively varying the torque split between the left and right rear wheels.

Torque vectoring

Usually only found in luxury cars, the torque vectoring system tightens the Pilot’s trajectory around sharp turns without upsetting the chassis—although some body lean around corners is unavoidable for a vehicle this size.

ENOUGH head and legroom for adults in the third row

The fact is that the 2016 Pilot is larger than before with 1.8 inches more in wheelbase and 3.5 inches extra in length, notwithstanding its reduced curb weight.

The increased dimensions translate into more generous room for the whole family, rather than guaranteeing an exciting drive.

Midsize and full size SUVs, after all, are not built to be nimble and fun to drive. They are built to provide safe, spacious, steady transportation in all kinds of road and weather conditions.

The Pilot fits the bill with its intelligent traction management system offering four powertrain modes: normal, snow, sand and mud. You simply push a button on the center console to select the mode that suits current driving condition.

What’s more, the AWD Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The performance capabilities of the 2016 Pilot are matched by its luxurious, feature-rich cabin with black leather seats, 8-inch touch-screen display audio with seven speakers, Bluetooth and all kinds of connectivity, and input ports plus a rear entertainment system with a drop-down screen for DVD.

WITH the second- and third-row folded, cargo space expands from 16 to 83.9 cubic feet.

Solid

Visibility all around is excellent, soft touch materials and padded surfaces abound, craftsmanship is impeccable, and the doors close with a solid thud.

If you play the DVD, the screen in the middle of the dash goes blank when the vehicle is running to avoid distracting the driver, although the sound track continues and the rear screen still shows the video.

The new Pilot has more cup holders than seats, plus hooks, pockets and cubbyholes galore, a flat console between the driver and front passenger seats where you can place a handbag, books or iPad and under the lid of that console, a storage bin big and deep enough to swallow almost anything.

The driver’s seat is 10-way power adjustable with two-position memory while the front seat is four-way power adjustable.  Both seats are best in class in terms of comfort and lumbar support.

The second row of seats has a quick release button to fold and slide the seat forward, making ingress to the third row easy.  The third row has enough head and legroom to seat two adults, but it wouldn’t be comfy for a long journey.

THE NEW direct injection Earth Dreams 3.5-liter, V6 engine supplies ample power throughout the rev range.

Cargo space increases from 16.5 cubic feet when all seats are up to 83.9 cubic feet max when the second- and third-row seats are folded. The power tailgate facilitates access to the cargo area.

Retaining the previous generation’s enormous space and integrating a lot of Acura MDX DNA, the 2016 Pilot accelerates smoothly and strongly with its new direct injection V6 engine.

Surefooted

Road composure is surefooted, and small road imperfections are soaked up easily.

At highway speeds the ride is cushiony and the hushed interior makes for effortless family cruising, thanks to solid build quality with low NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), zero rattles, and no air leaks.

A ROOMY, premium interior with soft-touch surfaces, leather seats, and cutting-edge infotainment technology.

Body control and handling are surprisingly impressive for a big three-row, eight-seat SUV with sharp turn-ins, smooth weight transfers and great steering feel.

Driving the Pilot never feels cumbersome, unlike other three-row crossovers. Credit this to the motion-adaptive electronically assisted power steering that is not too light nor too tight, but just right.

But even more impressive is the Pilot’s set of driver assistance technologies called Honda Sensing. It keeps drivers safer on the road via adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist system, road departure mitigation and collision mitigation braking system with forward collision warning.

THE SUPPORTIVE second-row seats can slide backward.

Aside from Honda Sensing, the 2016 Pilot has six airbags, driver and front passenger knee bolster, blind spot information, cross traffic monitor, vehicle stability assist, traction control system, hill start assist, trailer stability assist, ABS with EBD, multiview reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring system and smart key with remote start and power tailgate button.

Bottom line and considering the established reliability and high resale value of the Honda brand, the all-new Pilot AWD is well worth its P3.30 million price tag.

LOOKS sleek, refined and solidly built even from behind